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Interview

Leading the Climate Crisis Response: Cheon Gwon-han,Policy Chair atGreen Asia Network
Cheon Gwon-han

Every year, climate change and environmental issues arebecoming more serious worldwide. It is a paramountproblem and a challenge for both developed anddeveloping countries to solve together. We met and talkedwith Cheon Gwon-han, the policy chair at Green AsiaNetwork and one of the champions for environmentalprotection and response and adaptation to the climatecrisis in ASEAN.

Welcome! Please introduce yourself to the readers of theMonthly ASEAN Cultural House.

Hello. My name is Cheon Gwon-han, and I have been workingfor 15 years as the policy chair at Green Asia Network, anenvironmental NGO that responds to the climate crisis. Wemainly focus on restoring ecosystems in areas desertified dueto climate change in Lao PDR, Myanmar, and the Philippines.In addition, we help residents become self-reliant andpreserve the restored ecosystems through cultivating fruittrees and other forms of farming.

What is the current status of the environment in ASEANcountries?

Due to climate change, Myanmar’s average annualprecipitation of 2,500 mm has declined, leading to hotter dryseasons with more intense droughts, especially in inlandareas. As a result, the central region, which takes up 12.8% ofthe country’s total land area, became seriously desertified. InLao PDR, abnormally cold winters and unusual temperaturefluctuations have become more routine. In 2016, the country’scapital, Vientiane—where winter temperatures typicallyhover around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius—was hit with freezingconditions and even snowfall. And just this past summer,the country faced a sudden cold snap in what should havebeen some of the hottest months of the year. Coldwinters are a problem in Thailand and Viet Namas well. Fortunately, they are better equipped tocope compared to Lao PDR. The major issue in theMekong River basin area, which includes Cambodia,Laos, Thailand, and Viet Nam, is the increasedseverity and frequency of flooding of the MekongRiver due to climate change. In Thailand, wheremany population centers—like the capital Bangkok,or its smaller neighbor Pattaya—are just a few metersabove sea level, the recent increase in the averageprecipitation during rainy seasons is multiplying thenumber of places that are at risk of being submergedduring high tide. They are even discussing therelocation of the capital.

How are ASEAN countries responding to theseenvironmental issues?

In recent years, a highly aware civil society hasbeen forming across Asia, such as internationalcooperation between NGOs to respond to the climatecrisis. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, activistsfrom around the world used to gather and discusstheir climate-related issues and practices.

Would you please also recommend someeveryday things that readers of Monthly CulturalHouse can practice to reduce climate change?

t is critical that we limit the temperature increaseof the Earth to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrialtimes. This is a conclusion recently reached bythe international community to slow down thedestruction of the planet. To reduce greenhousegases, you can do anything that cuts down on the useof fossil fuels. Please join us in improving the globalenvironment with such efforts, it doesn’t matter howsmall it is.